Multivariate analysis of the relationship of psychosocial crisis variables to Ego Identity Status

The purpose of the present study was the investigation of the intercorrelations among psychosocial crisis resolution variables and ego identity statuses. The focus of the study was correlational including discriminant analyses which allowed for the identification of psychosocial crisis predictor variables which significantly distinguished identity statuses. Discriminant analyses were also computed for the purpose of identifying variables which significantly distinguished male and female identity statuses. Eighty-eight university students drawn from a variety of on-campus populations were each administered Marcia's Ego Identity Status Interview and completed Rasmussen's Ego Identity Scale. Review of the findings appeared to support Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. The evidence presented also demonstrated additional convergent and discriminant validity of Marcia's ego identity status concept. The results assisted in distinguishing male and female identity statuses. The findings tended to indicate that coping with the identity crisis (e.g., identity status) involves different psychosocial components.